Respect for the rule of law key to real growth

This past week, I met a young entrepreneur at the Kigali Convention Centre during the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). At 28, Malik was not born when the RPF was formed in December, 1987, but he could not miss the milestone, he told me. His shoe-making factory in the outskirts of Kigali town, could do without him for two days as he joined thousands of local and foreign guests at the three-week long celebrations of a political party that has dominated leadership in a country of slightly over 12 million people. Politics is not his cup of coffee, but he had to show solidarity with fellow countrymen.

RPF Chairman and President Nyakubahwa Paul Kagame was the chief guest and he attended all sessions. His speeches were short, straight to the point and inspiring to a largely Rwandese audience craving encouragement and that you-can-do it attitude. Speaker after speaker espoused discipline, focus and determination as the corner stone of success. The young people were particularly urged to protect the good that is happening in Rwanda and get over a past filled with bitterness. The infamous genocide that ended in 1994 left nearly a million people dead and many scarred for life. Survivors saw their loved ones butchered to death.

However, that is in the past and Rwanda has achieved a lot in a very short time. The cities are clean, well-organised and security is up there with the best in the world. Ease of doing business and near zero corruption have made Rwanda the favourite of many investors. Malik said you can apply for a business permit in the morning and by lunch time you will be home and dry. There are no bribes to pay or need to look over your shoulder when you set up shop anywhere in the country. Respect for the rule of law in Rwanda is not negotiable and Malik knows the importance of this, having grown up in Eastleigh area in Nairobi in the late 1990s.

Political protection

Back home, Kenya would be very far had we insisted on the rule of law and punished heavily evils like corruption. Theft of public resources has been in some instances rewarded with political protection at a huge price for the common man. Highly connected individuals have grabbed land meant for hospitals, schools, road reserves, national parks and so on without batting an eyelid. Impunity is nearly the second name for those we elect to political office besides the title honourable. This is unheard of in the land of a thousand hills, where everyone must toe the line.

As we mark Christmas tomorrow, maybe it is time we reflect upon our Christian values and always seek to do what is right. With a highly educated youthful population, Kenya could turn a new page and be a shining example on the continent. We could start by fixing our highly ethnicised politics and begin electing leaders based on their uprightness and vision instead of those with questionable amounts of money to dole out on their campaign blitz.

From the MCA to the President, our leaders must inspire confidence and belief of a brighter future. They must not be agents of intimidation and despondency as has been the case in the past.

It is unacceptable for more than 150 lives to be lost in road accidents in less than a month and people in positions of responsibility are still in office as if that is normal.

The plunder of national resources has been spearheaded by those in power egged on by a citizenry blinded by handouts and tokenism. We must demand more accountability from our leaders, especially the 47 governors, as they allocate resources at the county level. Devolution must work for the benefit of all and just a cabal of those close to the till. Still, respect for the rule of law is our best bet. Merry Christmas good people! 

- The writer is Revise Editor at The Standard, Weekend Editions. [email protected]